🐡 Shell-Dweller Neolamprologus ocellatus

The Shell-Dweller (Neolamprologus ocellatus) is a moderate-care, semi-aggressive species from Lake Tanganyika. Adults reach roughly 2", so plan on a minimum tank of 15 gallons. Keep the water between 75–82°F with a pH of 7.8–9. It does not school and can be kept singly or in species-appropriate numbers. As a carnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Shell-Dweller

GuppyEndler's LivebearerPlatyMollyKribensisZebra DanioCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbPearl GouramiBronze CoryNerite SnailMystery SnailBloodfin TetraBuenos Aires TetraGiant DanioGold BarbBoesemani RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishRainbow CichlidYellow Lab CichlidMultifasciatusJulidochromisLeast KillifishGhost ShrimpAssassin SnailRamshorn SnailMalaysian Trumpet SnailRabbit SnailRed Eye TetraLeopard DanioTurquoise RainbowfishForktail Blue-eyeThick-Lipped GouramiElectric Yellow CichlidBrichardiAlbino CoryHigh-Fin PlatyBalloon MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

AngelfishConvict CichlidOscarWhite Cloud MinnowPictus CatfishJack DempseyGreen TerrorTexas CichlidAuratus CichlidFrontosaChinese Algae EaterRed Tail SharkBlack Ghost KnifefishAfrican Butterfly FishRopefishSenegal BichirGolden Wonder KillifishCommon GoldfishFancy GoldfishRosy Red MinnowBucktooth TetraBanjar Red CichlidSalvini CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornRed Zebra CichlidVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidCompressed CichlidCalvus CichlidTropheus Duboisi

See the full tankmate guide for Shell-Dweller →